North-facing room
#D4CCC1In a north-facing room the whitewash #F2E2CA, with an LRV of 78, is the best wall choice here because it reflects the most light and its yellow undertone warms the daylight.
Art-to-room palette
Funerary Papyrus of Tayuhenutmut Color Palette & Paint Colors
This palette is measured from the Funerary Papyrus of Tayuhenutmut, an Ancient Egyptian work from about 1069 to 945 BCE held by The Art Institute of Chicago. Its tans and clay tones suit a warm living room, a sunroom or a southwest-style kitchen.
Quick answer
Paint the walls #F2E2CA, use #D3B092 for the main furniture or curtains, and layer the three mid-tone clays #AD7751, #B68159 and #BE8758 as wood, textile and accent.
- Artist
- Ancient Egyptian
- Date
- Third Intermediate Period, probably Dynasty 21 (about 1069-945 BCE)
- Collection
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Image license
- Public domain (CC0)
- Wall color LRV
- 78
The 6 colors in this painting
Measured from the image and ordered by how much of the canvas they cover. LRV is how much light a color reflects, from 0 for black to 100 for white.
Papyrus Clay
Warm Sandstone
Desert Terracotta
Burnt Umber Tan
Pale Dune Beige
Whitewashed Plaster
Where each color lives in the painting
Left, every pixel of the canvas snapped to its nearest palette color. Right, the detail where each color is strongest.
Closest paint colors
The nearest color from each brand. “Near-identical” and “Very close” are hard to tell apart on a wall; with “Similar”, compare a sample with the painting. Brands with nothing close are left out.
| Painting color | Closest paints | LRV | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
Papyrus Clay#AD7751 |
|
23 | Wood and frames |
Warm Sandstone#B68159 |
|
26 | One small textile |
Desert Terracotta#BE8758 |
|
29 | One bold piece |
Burnt Umber Tan#865F46 |
|
14 | Small accents, art, accessories |
Pale Dune Beige#D3B092 |
|
47 | Bed, sofa, curtains |
Whitewashed Plaster#F2E2CA |
|
78 | Main walls |
Paint names belong to their brands. Matches are measured from screen colors and are approximate; Light & Pigment is not affiliated with any paint brand.
How whitewashed plaster looks in your light
The wall color shifted for the light it will live in. Check the version closest to your room before buying a sample.
South-facing room
#F5E3C8In strong south light the clay tones look sun-baked and even, and the mid-tones #AD7751 and #B68159 stay close in value, so they blend without clashing.
Evening, warm lamps (2700K)
#CAB391Under warm evening bulbs the tans lose contrast with each other and the room feels uniform and soft, which suits a bedroom.
Try the palette in a room
Pick which painting color goes on the walls, the big furniture and the bold piece. Floors, shadows and light follow your choices.
Wood takes Papyrus Clay and the rug border takes Warm Sandstone in every combination.
Mood board
Details from the painting next to the colors and materials that carry them into a room.
Whitewashed Plaster
Pale Dune Beige
Desert Terracotta
Save this palette
A card with the painting, all 6 colors and a room scheme. Pin it, or take it to the paint store.
More palettes like this
FAQ
Are three similar clay shades too much?
They are close in value, with LRVs of 23, 26 and 29, so they work as a layered group. Use one on a wall, one on a rug and one on a ceramic piece.
What accent color brings out these tans?
The painting stays within warm tones, so a deep green or blue is your own addition. Use it in small amounts, such as a plant or a pillow, and keep the dominant look warm.
Which wall color is least risky?
The pale #F2E2CA. It is light, warm and neutral enough to match most flooring, and the clay tones then add depth in furniture and fabric.
Image: The Art Institute of Chicago, Public domain (CC0). Palette, posterized image, details and room views generated by Light & Pigment from that image. Colors look different on screen than on a wall, so always test a sample.